THIS week, The Impartial Reporter returns to show more sights from the fun-filled Lady of the Lady festival in Irvinestown, which wowed the community on its return this year – in modified form – after being forced to cancel last year because of the pandemic.

The hugely popular event attracted crowds from near and far and all of those who were out for the day had a tremendous amount of fun.

Families spent time around the historic Castle Irvine Estate where there was an ample number of farm animals, including cows, sheep and horses.

The Lady of the Lake festival was a smaller event than usual, but that didn’t stop everyone involved in the festival and visitors to the county from enjoying their day out.

Some spectators took the fun into their own hands as they took it upon themselves to have a roll in the hay with others, all in good, light-hearted fun.

There were also some market stalls set out for attendees to browse the wares of local sellers, and of course there were plenty of food venders about for anyone who needed a treat or some lunch as they enjoyed the day.

There was also some anticipation ahead of the winners of the gardening competition being announced, paying tribute to the efforts of Irvinestown’s gardeners.

Awards

Irvinestown Fairs and Markets Trustees organise Irvinestown Best Kept Garden Awards and Irvinestown Business in Bloom Awards annually to coincide with the Lady of the Lake Festival Fair Day.

Gerry McNulty, Secretary of Irvinestown Fairs and Markets Trustees, thanked Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for funding the awards, and also thanked Kenny Crawford, Glenwood Nursery, who sponsored first prize in each of the garden categories.

On behalf of Irvinestown Fairs and Markets Trustees, Gerry McNulty congratulated the Lady of the Lake Festival committee for organising another great Fair Day in the beautiful Castle Irvine Estate, providing entertainment for the local community and visitors to the town, and for their commitment and dedication through the year.

The competition was judged independently by Seamus Monaghan, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, an experienced gardener who judged the gardens in early July.

He congratulated all the winners for their efforts in keeping their gardens clean, tidy and full of colour with beautiful flowers, shrubs, water features, fruit and vegetables.

The competition was judged in two categories, Best Kept Small Garden Award, and Best Kept Large Garden Award, with four awards in each category, as follows.

Small Garden Awards

1st Place (joint winners) Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. Greta Rooney

2nd Place – Mr. and Mrs. Mollan

3rd Place – Ms. Linda McDonagh

4th Place – Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Cassidy

Large Garden Awards

1st Place – Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson

2nd Place – Mr. and Mrs. McArt

3rd Place – Mr. Gordon Guy

4th Place – Mrs. Smith

Overall Winner of the Garden Competition

Joint winners: Mrs. Greta Rooney, and Mr. Trevor and Mrs. Anne Robinson

Business in Bloom Awards

1st Place – ARC Healthy Living Centre

2nd Place – Treetops Nursery

3rd Place – Mahon’s Hotel